A BOY IS A GUN*
Tyler the Creator Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

No, don't shoot me down (yeah)
No, don't shoot me down (okay)
No, don't shoot me down

You so motherfuckin' dangerous (you started with a mere hello)
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
You got me by my neck (a boy is a gun)
That's why these other niggas lame to us
'Cause all these other niggas lame as fuck
We show 'em no respect

(You started with a mere hello) When the time's right, yeah
When the time's right, baby
When the time's right (a boy is a gun)
(Turn me up a little bit)
No, don't shoot me down

Take your hoodie off, why you hide your face from me?
Make your fuckin' mind up, I am sick of waitin' patiently
How come you the best to me? I know you the worst for me
Boy, you sweet as sugar, diabetic to the first degree
My spidey sensies, got me on the fencies
Whole squad in Ginza, travel bag by Balenci'
Big dawg hittin' big wheelies on the six speed

No, don't shoot me down
You so motherfuckin' dangerous (you started with a mere hello)
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
You got me by my neck (a boy is a gun)
That's why these other niggas lame to us
'Cause all these other niggas lame as fuck
They showin' no respect

(You started with a mere hello) When the time's right, yeah
When the time's right, baby
When the time's right (I said a boy is a gun)
(Look) No, don't shoot me down

Oh, you passive-aggressive? (You started with a mere hello)
Oh, you fakin' you're mad?
Oh, you wanna go home? Cool, you better call you a cab
I ain't takin' you home, yeah, I'm brushin' you off
'Cause this parka is Comme, you're my favorite garçon
Don't leave, stay right here, yeah, I want you right near (you started with a mere hello)
You invited me to breakfast, why the fuck your ex here?
Well, let's see if you 'round the God around this time next year

No, don't shoot me down
No, don't shoot me down (fucked up)
No, don't shoot me down
No, don't shoot me down

You so motherfuckin' dangerous (you started with a mere hello)
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
You got me by my neck (a boy is a gun)
That's why I start to think it's lame as fuck
(Well, I'm here for you)

(You started with a mere hello) When the time's right
When the time's right, baby
When the time's right (a boy is a gun)
No, don't shoot me down

(You started with a mere hello) you're a gun 'cause
I like you on my side
At all times
Keep me safe (No, don't shoot me down)
Wait, wait, depending on, you know (all the time)
You could be dangerous to me (time, time)
Or anyone else

Look, they be bringin' us up (you started with a mere hello)
Yeah, like now and again
Give a fuck what they talkin' 'bout, I see you as a ten
I'ma leave it at that, I'ma leave us as friends
'Cause the irony is I don't wanna see you again

Stay the fuck away from me
Stay the fuck away from me
Stay the fuck away from me
I ain't gon' repeat myself, but stay the fuck away from me

(You started with a mere hello)
(A boy is a gun)
No, don't shoot me down




(You started with a mere hello)
(A boy is a gun)

Overall Meaning

The song "a boy is a gun" by Tyler the Creator is a tale of a tumultuous relationship between the artist and his lover. The song's title refers to the proverbial phrase "a boy is a gun" which means that a man can be dangerous or unpredictable in a relationship. Tyler starts by asking his lover not to shoot him down, indicating that he usually bears the brunt of their arguments. He recognizes that his lover is dangerous, yet he is still captivated by him/her.


The chorus "When the time's right, yeah, When the time's right, baby, When the time's right (a boy is a gun)" is a plea for his lover to wait and be patient for the right time for them to be together. Tyler describes the relationship as complicated when he says, "Oh, you passive-aggressive? Oh, you fakin' you're mad? Oh, you wanna go home? Cool, you better call you a cab." The artist goes on to say that his lover is sweet as sugar but toxic at the same time.


Tyler uses fashion references in the song, for instance, when he says, "This parka is Comme, you're my favorite garçon," which means that his jacket is from the brand Comme des Garcons, and he can't stop looking at his lover because he is his favorite boy. Overall, "a boy is a gun" is a song about the complexities of a relationship, even when one partner is clearly more dangerous than the other.


Line by Line Meaning

No, don't shoot me down (yeah)
Please don't reject or dismiss me


No, don't shoot me down (okay)
Please give me a chance


No, don't shoot me down
Don't ignore or reject me without giving me a fair chance


You so motherfuckin' dangerous (you started with a mere hello)
You have a powerful hold over me even though our relationship started with a simple greeting


You got me by my neck (a boy is a gun)
You have a strong grip on me, just like a gun to someone's neck


That's why these other niggas lame to us
Other people seem uninteresting or inferior compared to us


'Cause all these other niggas lame as fuck
Everyone else seems boring or unimpressive


We show 'em no respect
We don't treat others with respect because we think we're better than them


When the time's right, yeah
We need to wait until the right moment


When the time's right, baby
We need to wait until the moment is perfect


Take your hoodie off, why you hide your face from me?
Why are you hiding your true self from me?


Make your fuckin' mind up, I am sick of waitin' patiently
Please make a decision, I can't wait any longer


How come you the best to me? I know you the worst for me
Even though I know you might not be the best for me, I still feel strongly attracted to you


Boy, you sweet as sugar, diabetic to the first degree
You're incredibly sweet, but too much of you is bad for me


My spidey senses, got me on the fencies
My intuition is telling me to be cautious


Whole squad in Ginza, travel bag by Balenci'
We're a group of stylish people, carrying expensive designer bags


Big dawg hittin' big wheelies on the six speed
Someone is doing impressive motorcycle stunts


Oh, you passive-aggressive? (You started with a mere hello)
Are you trying to express hostility in a subtle way?


Oh, you fakin' you're mad?
Are you pretending to be angry?


Oh, you wanna go home? Cool, you better call you a cab
If you want to leave, you should arrange your own transportation


I ain't takin' you home, yeah, I'm brushin' you off
I'm avoiding dealing with you


'Cause this parka is Comme, you're my favorite garçon
I'm wearing an expensive coat and you're my favorite boy


Don't leave, stay right here, yeah, I want you right near (you started with a mere hello)
Please stay with me, I want you close to me


You invited me to breakfast, why the fuck your ex here?
Why is your ex-partner here if you invited me to breakfast?


Well, let's see if you 'round the God around this time next year
Let's see if we're still together in a year


That's why I start to think it's lame as fuck
That's why I think everything else is boring


Well, I'm here for you
I'm here to support you


Stay the fuck away from me
Please don't come near me


I ain't gon' repeat myself, but stay the fuck away from me
I won't say it again, but please stay away from me


you're a gun 'cause
You're like a weapon


I like you on my side
I like having you around


At all times
All the time


Keep me safe (No, don't shoot me down)
Protect me


depending on, you know (all the time)
Depending on the situation


You could be dangerous to me (time, time)
You could harm me


Look, they be bringin' us up (you started with a mere hello)
People are talking about us, even though our relationship started with a simple greeting


Yeah, like now and again
Occasionally


Give a fuck what they talkin' 'bout, I see you as a ten
I don't care about their opinions, I think you're perfect


I'ma leave it at that, I'ma leave us as friends
Let's just be friends


'Cause the irony is I don't wanna see you again
The funny thing is, I don't want to see you again




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bobby Dukes, Bobby Massey, Lester Mckenzie, Tyler Okonma

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@nickjasper

@@seecrd5953 Let me tell you the truth
Every person has a different vibe, and you fell in love with hers. It could hurt knowing ain't nobody gonna make you feel that way ever again, that vibe she gave you, because everyone's got a different one. That energy you feel with her, you're never gonna get that again.

But the thing is, eventually you'll get over her vibe and find someone with a better one, trust me I'm talking from experience. Don't get caught up in a feeling, there's an infinity of them out there to live, some that'll even make you wish you woulda lost the feeling you felt for her earlier.

They say love is blind and they're right. Just understand you're not seeing clearly now.
Keep your path straight, stay away from drugs and love yourself first and foremost.
And if you find trouble doing so, just know I love you bro.

<3



@maryomoniyi9832

No, don't shoot me down (yeah)
No, don't shoot me down (okay)
No, don't shoot me down
You so motherfuckin' dangerous (you started with a mere hello)
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
You got me by my neck (a boy is a gun)
That's why these other niggas lame to us
'Cause all these other niggas lame as fuck
We show 'em no respect
When the time's right, yeah
When the time's right, baby
When the time's right (a boy is a gun)
(Turn me up a little bit)
No, don't shoot me down
Take your hoodie off, why you hide your face from me?
Make your fuckin' mind up, I am sick of waitin' patiently
How come you the best to me? I know you the worst for me
Boy, you sweet as sugar, diabetic to the first degree
My spidey sensies, got me on the fencies
Whole squad in Ginza, travel bag by Balenci'
Big dawg hittin' big wheelies on the six speed
No, don't shoot me down
You so motherfuckin' dangerous (you started with a mere hello)
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
You got me by my neck (a boy is a gun)
That's why these other niggas lame to us
'Cause all these other niggas lame as fuck
They showin' no respect
When the time's right, yeah
When the time's right, baby
When the time's right (I said a boy is a gun)
(Look) No, don't shoot me down
Oh, you passive-aggressive? (You started with a mere hello)
Oh, you fakin' you're mad?
Oh, you wanna go home? Cool, you better call you a cab
I ain't takin' you home, yeah, I'm brushin' you off
'Cause this parka is Comme, you're my favorite garçon
Don't leave, stay right here, yeah, I want you right near (you started with a mere hello)
You invited me to breakfast, why the fuck your ex here?
Well, let's see if you 'round the God around this time next year
No, don't shoot me down
No, don't shoot me down (fucked up)
No, don't shoot me down
No, don't shoot me down
You so motherfuckin' dangerous (you started with a mere hello)
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
You got me by my neck (a boy is a gun)
That's why I start to think it's lame as fuck
(Well, I'm here for you)
When the time's right
When the time's right, baby
When the time's right (a boy is a gun)
No, don't shoot me down
you're a gun 'cause
I like you on my side
At all times
Keep me safe (No, don't shoot me down)
Wait, wait, depending on, you know (all the time)
You could be dangerous to me (time, time)
Or anyone else
Look, they be bringin' us up (you started with a mere hello)
Yeah, like now and again
Give a fuck what they talkin' 'bout, I see you as a ten
I'ma leave it at that, I'ma leave us as friends
'Cause the irony is I don't wanna see you again
Stay the fuck away from me
Stay the fuck away from me
Stay the fuck away from me
I ain't gon' repeat myself, but stay the fuck away from me
No, don't shoot me down
(You started with a mere hello)
(A boy is a gun)



All comments from YouTube:

@kidghidorah

If Tyler shoots me, don't prosecute him. He caught me slipping; that's on me.

@avacheeks

Same here. My fault

@soda_fairy

Hahah reminds me of 2015 comments. "Yaaasss daddy hit me with your car pleaaaaaase" 😍😍😍

@nic558

And I went out like a G

@idocovers847

Lissie Lamb lmao wtf😭😂😂

@daltonf9914

neva lackin yardy no

7 More Replies...

@minecraftmaniac84

Why is no one talking about the cinematography, Tyler needs to direct a film

@a_cowwithlegs

we need that Wolf movie to come out.

@julianserene

he's def gonna do some films hopefully it happens soon

@rianyamasaki6097

honestly like a more luxurious Wes Anderson

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